Dentist weighs in: Do toothpastes live up to their promises?

By Jenn Strathman, newsnet5.com

8:54 AM, Nov 11, 2011

3:48 AM, Nov 11, 2011

Picking the right toothpaste

WEWS

WEWS

CLEVELAND - Sensitive, whitening, natural. Whoever thought picking a toothpaste could be such a difficult decision? With all of the choices out there, it can be hard to figure out which one is best for you, and if their claims are true.

"There are a lot of toothpastes, so yeah, it's difficult to figure out which one I'd like to use," said Heather Sprowls.

Picking a toothpaste isn't a difficult choice though for Mara Krause.

"I just look for what I'm looking for and that's sensitive. I just go for that box," she said.

"To me, toothpaste is a personal preference," said MetroHealth Medical Center dentist Dr. Matthew Kirlough said, adding most of the toothpastes do what they claim, at least to a point.

Kirlough said the foaming toothpaste feels different, so if you like it, use it. But as for getting into those hard to reach places, "I'm not so sure that the toothpaste and the foam can get in there as well as floss."

And what about whitening or sensitive tubes? Dr. Kirlough said they can be a good option, but they don't work for everyone. It's not always about the toothpaste.